Influence of materials on teacher adoption of abstinence-only- until-marriage programs.

Publisher: Wiley Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0376370 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1746-1561 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00224391 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Sch Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Nov. 2008- : Hoboken, NJ : Wiley
Original Publication: Columbus, Ohio : American Association of School Physicians

Sexual Abstinence* ; Teaching Materials*; Faculty/*organization & administration ; Sex Education/*organization & administration; Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior/psychology ; Curriculum ; Female ; Humans ; Interdisciplinary Communication ; Male ; Psychology, Adolescent ; Public Opinion ; Qualitative Research ; Schools/organization & administration ; Texas/epidemiology

Background: Given the growing scientific evidence against abstinence-only-until-marriage education, health educators are supporting an evidence-based approach to teaching sexuality education. However, there is still an abundance of federal support and funding streams allocated to sustain abstinence-only programs. This study assessed indicators that influence the adoption of abstinence-only-until-marriage education as well as school teachers' likelihood of adopting such programs.
Methods: Predictors included relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, and observability and were assessed with a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Additional questions were asked related to demographics, professional history, and abstinence-only-until-marriage education policies and funding. The relationships were tested with multiple regression analysis.
Results: A trend became apparent in which most teachers would allow a state- or federally funded program to be offered and presented in their schools, but most did not know if their school received funding to support abstinence-only-until-marriage education. Attendance at religious services, complexity of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, and abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum emerged as important predictors of the likelihood to adopt abstinence education.
Conclusions: Trends in political agendas, policy development, and state and federal funding have supported abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs. In order to ensure an understanding about the inclusion of sexuality education in the classroom, insight into the teacher's role in the integration of sexuality education in the classroom is important.

Date Created: 20091114 Date Completed: 20100201 Latest Revision: 20141120

20221213

10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00450.x

19909420